John n



(No Model.)

J. N. MOEHN.

CHECK HOOK.

No. 529,561. Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

-UNirnn "rafrns Farnnr tries.

JOHN N; MOEHN, OF MILYVAUKEE, \VISOONSIN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JACOB KATZ, ADOLPH MAHLER AND GEORGE DE GRASSE, OF

SAME PLACE.

CHECK-=HOOK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 529,561, dated November 20, 1894. Application filed July 5,1894- Serial No. 516,582. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN N. MoEHN, of Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Check-Hooks, of which the followingis a description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

My invention has relation to improvements in check hooks.

The object of the invention is to provide a hook which while presenting an absolute safe guard against the animal working the rein from disengagement therewith, yet, at the same time is of such construction that a person may readily effect the engagement and disengagement of the rein.

With the above object in view, the invention consists of the devices and parts, or their equivalents, as hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l, is a side elevation, the rein being shown in full line in one of the positions it assumes in the process of attaching, and in dotted lines the position it assumes just before being carried 1nto complete engagement. Fig. 2 is a front elevation, and Fig. 3, is a side elevation showing a slightly modified construction of the lower portion .of the hook, the rein being shown in full line in complete engagement.

Like numerals of reference denote like parts throughout the several views.

The hook is constructed from a single piece of heavy wire 4. This wire is curved upward from its lower portion to form a circular member 5, said member merging at its rear into a reversely curved and obliquely bent portion .6, which, in turn, joins or merges into another curved member 7, parallel to, but removed a slight distance laterally, from the curved member 5. The end of the curved portion 7 is extended vertically, and terminates in an ornamental head 8.

In Figs. 1 and 2 the lower end of the wire 4 is shown threaded as indicated at 9, said threaded end receiving thereon a nut 10. Above the threaded portion, the wire is pro vided with an annular flange 11. This forms one means for attaching the hook to the gig saddle of the harness. I Wish it to be understood, however, that I do not limit my invention to any particular form of construction of the lower portion of the hook, inasmuch as it is obvious that this may be constructed in avarietyof different ways, Fig. 3 of the drawings illustrating one of the many forms. In this figure the lower end of the wire is extended horizontally and flattened, as indicated at 12. This flattened portion is provided with an opening through which a screw, bolt, or other attaching means may be passed.

In attaching a rein to the hook, the loop of the strap is first passed over the entire hook. One side of the strap is then brought up between the two curved members 5 and 7, as shown by the full line position of the rein illustrated in Fig. 1. The strap is next swung up to the dotted line position Fig. 1, after which it can be readily brought over the head of the upper end of the Wire to the position shown in Fig. 3, which is the position the line assumes when completely checked or hooked.

The device is so attached to the gig-saddle that the two parallel strands of the spiral are at the front, or toward the head of the horse. When a pull is exerted on the line, therefore, the loop of the line is brought to bear against the said parallel strands.

In detaching the rein, it is first turned up from the position shown in full line in Fig. 3 to the dotted line position Fig. 1, then to the full line position Fig. 1, then down in the space between the curved members 5 and 7, and finally around back of the reversely curved oblique member 6.

I do not wish to be understood as restricting my device entirely to its use as a means for fastening check reins of harness. It is obvious that it may be found adaptable to many uses wherein a strap is to be secured.

From the above description, it will be seen that my device is exceedingly simple in construction, inexpensive of production, and forms an absolute safe guard against the accidental disengagement of the check line.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A check-hook, consisting of a wire having a lower base portion for attachment to the gig saddle, a terminal portion, and a spiral intermediate the base and terminal portions, the two parallel strands of said spiral being disposed at the front to take the bearing of the loop of the check-rein, substantially as set forth.

2. A check-hook consisting of a wire having a lower base portion for attachment to the gig-saddle, a terminal straight portion on a vertical line with the base portion, and a spiral intermediate the base and terminal portions, the two parallel strands of said spiral being disposed at the front to take the bearing of the loop of the check-rein, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

JOHN N. MOEHN.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. MoRsELL, ANNA V. FAUsT. 

